Temple Beth-El to close parking lots to students on High Holy Days

Neighborhood synagogue has shared lots with this college for three decades.

By Tress-Marie Landa

sac-ranger@alamo.edu

Temple Beth-El’s celebration of Yom Kippur Sept. 22-23 will close two shared parking lots with this college: Lot 01 at Ashby Place and Belknap and Lot 02 at San Pedro Avenue and Ashby Place.

“San Antonio College has shared the parking lot with us for over 30 years,” said Dollie Closna, administrative assistant to the director of Temple Beth-El.

Yom Kippur is the most solemn religious fast of the Jewish calendar and the last of the 10 days of penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah, or the Jewish New Year, Sept. 13-14.

During the two ceremonies the lots will close at noon Tuesday and reopen at 11 p.m. and close at 7 a.m. Wednesday and reopen at 8 p.m.

“San Antonio Police Department provides security for the temple during High Holy days; the parking lots are barricaded,” Closna said.

Students will have to find parking elsewhere on campus during these times, closest lots can be found off Lewis and Courtland at Lots 09 and 10.

Outside guests and students may also choose to be a part of the event.

“We don’t turn anyone away,” she said, “If an Alamo Colleges student or other guest wanted to attend, they can call our main offices’ directory beforehand and receive a guest parking pass.”

Brianna Beltran, pharmacy freshman and Ramiro Aguinaga, general science freshmen, frequently use this parking lot for their weekly classes.

“We carpool, because we have the same 9 a.m. to noon class schedule on Wednesdays and Fridays,” Aguinaga said.

“We’ve come to park here before and it’s been closed,” Beltran said, “So we had to park behind Moody Library. It wasn’t really that bad because my classes were still close by.”

Parking can be a challenge when the two parking lots, which hold at least 195 spaces, are closed due to the temple’s services. Unexpected events, such as funerals, can cause inconveniences for students who rely on these lots as well.

“Since it is a religious activity, I respect it and can’t really be upset about having to park somewhere else for a day,” Beltran said.

For more information on Temple Beth-El’s upcoming High Holy Days and guest parking passes, visit their website at beth-elsa.org or call 210-733-9135 ext. 126 to speak with Dollie Closna.